THE MOMENT
"His name was Goliath," Honey replied. The 12-year-old girl with blonde hair stared up at the middle-aged couple in amusement. The man was lean and athletic; he wore khaki slacks with a button-up shirt. The woman wore a long navy blue polka dot dress with pearls around her neck. The couple showing up with her handler, Phoenix, was certainly a new wrinkle to her usual routine.
"It hardly matters," the gentleman replied. "Let's get you to your new home," he turned and gestured at the open door of her spartan, white, cell-like room.
"This is a joke, right?" Honey turned and looked at Phoenix. He shook his head at her causing his bright red, neatly quaffed hair to wobble.
"You're the one that wanted to be let out," he shrugged. "It won't happen without supervision and I'm not looking for all that extra responsibility to keep track of you. It's already annoying enough to do these daily check-ins. So this is the best I can do. You're going with them now and you're no longer my problem."
"No," Honey shook her head. "I don't want to, and I don't have to."
"You absolutely DO have to young lady," the man said. "We signed a contract with Sharp Development, we've adopted you." He stepped forward to grab her hand. He grasped sticky, translucent, golden honey until he clenched nothing in his hand. Honey pulled herself away, then reformed her hand.
"Phoenix, make her listen," the man said.
"I got it," Phoenix nodded at him, then he stepped next to Honey and put an arm around her shoulder.
"Look, you know how Sharp Development works; this isn't what you think it is. You wanted an out, I gave you an open door," he said.
"By adopting me out??" Honey asked. Phoenix nodded; but, he elaborated.
"By getting them to sign a contract," he said. "If you try to run away, Sharp Development is obligated to bring you back to their care. However, there's a clause that keeps Sharp Development free of blame. If Goliath caused a little destruction once you get home with them, it's not our fault. And since Sharp Development isn't responsible for anything that happens to them, we'd have no reason to bring you back in. You following me, kid?" Honey shook her head even though she very much did understand.
"I'm not going to hurt them," she replied. Phoenix shrugged.
"That's up to you; you're either in their care... or you're not. It's not like it would be your first time or anything," he chuckled. "Just walk through the door I opened for you, and we'll both get what we want."
Phoenix was right about that much at least. Honey didn't actively want to hurt anyone; but, she was certainly more than capable. She'd proven it dozens of times before on Phoenix's orders. And, those were only the most recent examples. Would two more make a difference if it meant she could be free? Even as she asked herself that question, Honey knew the answer.
"No," Honey repeated. "I'll stay here. In my room. I'm not hurting them; but, I'm not going with them either."
"Honey...," Phoenix shook his head. "You're putting me in a bad spot here; the entire company. Sharp Development has a reputation; we can't just decide to let a contract go. That's a slippery slope that we can't start down. You know how to do it without any suffering; it'll be the easiest thing in the world."
"No," she repeated firmly. Phoenix sighed.
"Well, it's not ideal; but, we're already here," he said. "The contract is signed; Honey, kill them." Phoenix stepped aside to let her work. The girl stuck her hands in the pocket of her white hoodie and she remained in place with a shake of her head.
"Don't you dare, young lady," the man interrupted with a firm voice.
"You're making me look bad in front of clients," Phoenix said. "That's an order, kill them."
"NO." Honey raised her voice without yelling, and she took a deliberate step back.
"Well, it's good to see you come with some manners," the man said.
"Give me a moment alone with her," Phoenix said. He made a gesture and opened a tall black portal for the couple to step into. The man took a step in and grabbed his wife's hand as he went through.
"What's the difference?" Phoenix asked once the couple was gone. "You didn't have a problem following orders before."
"I'm done following that order," Honey replied. "For anyone, not just them."
"Is that a fact?" Phoenix chuckled as he pulled his node from his pocket.
"It's a fact," Honey nodded. Phoenix tapped and swiped at the node; but, paused with his finger hovering above it.
"That's a bold proclamation," he said. "Once I send this message, you'll have to deal with the consequences of defying Sharp Development. Are you ready for all that, or are you going to go home and kill those nice people so you can be free?"
"I'm not killing anyone ever again," Honey said. Her tan skin lightened and turned translucent gold. "I don't care what you do me, I can take it." Phoenix let his finger drop on the node, then he chuckled.
"You're not my problem anymore," he smiled at her and waved as he sunk into a hole in the ground. "See you around, Honey. Good luck out there."
Honey was too busy waiting for the consequences to hear what he said. She was alone for almost an entire minute before a knock came from the open doorway.
"Hey, Honey, I'm Ozone," A portly man in a grey tweed suit walked in with a smile. "Phoenix told me you're ready to join a roller derby team."
"Huh?" Honey shifted out of her translucent state back into her normal skin and tilted her head at him. Roller derby was not a punishment she expected.
"Ms. Sharp put your name up to join; but, Phoenix had to give you the okay first," he said as he drew closer with an outstretched hand. "Congratulations," he said.
"That was a test??" she asked aloud. Ozone shrugged.
"No idea what just happened," he said. "But, it probably wasn't what you thought it was," he grinned. "You know how Sharp Development works; so, you in?"